Filing deadline for the 2015 election season was Friday, and a handful of races in Thurston County will require an Aug. 4 primary to narrow the field.

A primary is necessary for contests with more than two candidates; the top two vote-getters will advance to the Nov. 3 general election.

Among the higher profile primary races in Olympia is the mayoral contest between Councilwoman Cheryl Selby, Prophet Atlantis and Marco Rosaire Rossi.

Selby declared her candidacy in January, shortly after Mayor Stephen Buxbaum announced he would not seek re-election. At her campaign kickoff, Selby said her top issues are economic development and creating a revitalization strategy for the city. Selby, who owns a small downtown clothing business called Vivala, was first elected to the council in 2013. According to the Public Disclosure Commission website, Selby has raised $16,253 so far.

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Rossi is a first-time candidate who works as a medical assistant at Planned Parenthood, and has a master’s degree in political science. He said his campaign will focus on three progressive issues: raising the minimum wage, creating a more inclusive downtown; and encouraging more public participation in democracy.

Rossi is among three candidates who have agreed to run in Olympia to raise awareness about those issues. First-time candidate Ray Guerra has joined the race for Olympia City Council Position 2 and will face Olympia planning commissioners Judy Bardin and Jessica Bateman in the primary. Rafael Ruiz, another first-time candidate, will challenge incumbent Nathaniel Jones for council Position 3 in the general election.

Atlantis, who ran unsuccessfully for Olympia City Council in 2013 and for many other offices in the past, did not return calls for comment.

Other notable primary races in Thurston County:

• The Port of Olympia will see two primary elections for commissioner. Competing for District 1 will be Joe Downing, Joseph Treacy Kreger and George L. Barner Jr. Candidates filing for District 3 are Jerry Farmer, Bob Jones, Elizabeth Zita and Larry Goodman. This is an open position following the resignation of commissioner Sue Gunn.